GPU / SLI general question

LoCi-X

New Member
I would like to build a gaming computer but need some basic information. If you want to get a motherboard with an integrated GPU, do you have to get an AMD CPU? Are there many companies that sell motherboards with GPU's? As for SLI, you have to have a SLI-ready motherboard, do both of your graphics cards have to be the same? Is there anything else that I should know about SLI? And PCI express - what is the difference between x16 and x1? Is x16 just faster?
 
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Whether the motherboard is Intel or AMD has nothing to do with it having an intergrated graphics card. Some mobos have them and some don't. And yes with SLI the cards have to be the same.
 
and pci x1 is physically a smaller slot, meant for netwoerk cards, raid cards etc....
pci x16 is much longer and for gfx cards etc....
 
I would like to build a gaming computer but need some basic information. If you want to get a motherboard with an integrated GPU, do you have to get an AMD CPU? Are there many companies that sell motherboards with GPU's? As for SLI, you have to have a SLI-ready motherboard, do both of your graphics cards have to be the same? Is there anything else that I should know about SLI? And PCI express - what is the difference between x16 and x1? Is x16 just faster?

1. No you dont need a AMD processor. Its the chipset on the board not the CPU. Intel - Nvidia - ATI/AMD - SIS - VIA - all make onboard video chips

2.Yes you have to have a SLI board to run SLI.

3. Yes they need to be the same GPU with SLI.

4.
pci-express-slots.gif
 
It is great for you to have an interest in building your own computer. You really should do a lot of research first, as you can see you have many questions and you will only have more to come. This forum is a great place to learn, many people do that here (I did/do). There are informative posts on just about every area of computers so check those out and read up on as much stuff online as you can. Good luck.
 
you also can get 2 ATI cards and run crossfire, which is the same thing as sli, just for ATI cards instead of geforce cards. right now you're going to get more for your money if you buy 2 ATI cards and run crossfire.
 
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